How do people find a job suitable for someone with severe manic depression, what sort of work do they do.?

Question

Hi, i'm a long term sufferer of bipolar disorder or severe manic depression, i'd like to work but not sure how employers and other staff would react to me with my frequent changes of mood and if I was to work what sort of work would or could i do?

Of some of the comments I have read, people refer to the importance of keeping on the medication, others refer to the creativity of bipolar suffers and someone asked my interests- One of the problems I had is that I have 2 a levels in computer tech and an interest in mechanics and electrics, when I had been taking my medication for a long time I was having difficulty with what were for me simple tasks, at times I couldn't figure out faults with my own computer that I built. Sure, the effects of the disorder are worse without the medication - but is it worth unlearning what I spent years studying out of boredom? It has caused family issues not being on the medication, but I find it hard to accept that i will progressivly become more stupid if i take them.

Answer 1

First off, try leveling out the swings by taking your medication. If it isn't working, try something else. The biggest problem is that when you feel better, you tend to stop taking your medication. Some of the most creative people I know are manic depressives. Office work, where you work independently sometimes is the answer. You need to be around other people to help keep you on track. You have to go with your strong points and what you like to do. It's better to fit into a job you like, than just take what others think you should have. Lots of people have mood swings, so work at leveling them off, with counseling or medication, but be consistant. You can be whatever you set your mind to be. Don't give up!!!

Answer 2

First of all, there is a lot of prejudice out there against people with mental health problems - as evidenced by Bronnimoose's response. Be prepared for more of this crap out there in the world of work. However if you feel you can deal with the crap, and you keep taking your medication you should be able to find something you can do - what are your interests? Think about the things you enjoy doing and then see if they can be turned into a career option. Be realistic about what you can and can't achieve. If you have a therapist, talk it through with them. Another alternative would be, try volunteer work and see what you can cope with before going for paid work. Good luck!

Additon: before you read any more answers, I am a Christian but I would NEVER advise anyone with a diagnosed mental or physical illness to stop taking their medication, it could be VERY dangerous.

Answer 3

Try doing some voluntary work to start with, you will be under less pressure than paid employment. This will boost your confidence and look good to a future prospective employer. Manic Depression is levelled with regular use of Lithium, you don't need to fear extreme mood swings. Don't tell people too much about your illness to start with, as they get to know you explain it a bit more; many people are predjudiced. Good Luck think positive and try to use the wonderful creative side of the illness.....the depresssion might not come back!

Answer 4

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 5

Your local job centre would be able to assign you someone that will help you get into work. They deal with employers who know about mental illnesses and are willing to give us the chance to work. I had the same problem as you but now am in part time employment and am looking forward to going back to uni and studying. I understand how you feel about the meds-they can be a pain. Mine made me sleep for 16 hours a day and although the dose is lower than is good for me now I feel able to have a normal life.
Good luck!

Answer 6

There are no longer any books to evaluate with the genuine factor. severe melancholy is in the suggestions while chemical components are released into the spinal fluid and that they circulate right down to the medulla or vehicle suggestions and then there's a psychosis via fact the better lobes deliver messages and that they get circulate under pressure out via the medulla. All wires nevertheless circulate theory the medulla because it became into in the primitive suggestions formation. The medulla additionally controls the cost of the middle, respiratory etc and then the full physique is in soreness. it relatively is the place the term schizo is utilized. The decay of psychological skills keeps as long via fact the chemical components persist being released from the better lobes as they erase fake hopes.

Answer 7

Most states have an Office of Vocational Rehabilitation that you can contact. Through this agency, the state funds schooling, job coaching, and career counseling for people with different kinds of disabilities. Once you contact this office, you meet with an OVR counselor to figure out what kind of services you would benefit from. Job coaching, or supported employment, might be a good idea for you. A supported employment agency can be contracted by OVR to help you find a job and help you maintain a good relationship with your employer. Another idea is to contact your local MH/MR Agency to get a Case Manager. A case manager can also help you find employment, or help you apply to OVR. Good luck.

Answer 8

Don't you lot just live off benefits?
Sorry, that maybe is unfair but I can't see many employers willing to work with a long-term manic depression sufferer. If things went wrong, you could easily blame your condition, even if you abused a colleague. Your medical team should be able to advise you - not Yahoo answers!

Answer 9

I like what erlifesaver just wrote.
You can do any job you set your mind to do if you have the skills and ability to follow through.
Mental illness can be managed. The more understanding you have about your condition, the better. We have come a long way out of the Dark Ages.
Don't sell yourself short.

Answer 10

I have a friend who is bipolar. She has gotten a data-entry job working from a computer in her home. She also paints houses as a subcontractor (interior painting.) If you like the physical work, painting is pretty good, because the jobs are undemanding and you can often work by yourself.

You can start your own painting business.